Field Guide to Stafford County Salamanders

Spotted Salamander
Ambystoma maculatum
It is slate colored to black and has two irregularly shaped rows of yellow bumps running down the back, has a black belly, grows up to eight inches long, and has silvery specks on its body. Lives in the forest and spends most of life underground. It can be found under logs, under leaves, usually only above ground for breeding in spring months
Marbled Salamander
Ambystoma opacum
It is a short, stout, black bellied salamander, average length about 5 inches long, marbled pattern on backside consisting of alternating light (usually silvery white on males and grayish on females) and dark bands that are narrow on its back and broadening on sides in an hourglass pattern.
Red-Spotted Newt
Notophthalmus viridescens
The Red Spotted Newt is a 4 inch salamander that lives part of its life on land. As an adult, it has a greenish brown color with red dots surrounded in black that run the length of its body. The juvenile stage is spent on land for three to seven years. During this time, the animal has a bright orange color with the same red dots. It is poisonous during this stage so it is not the prey of many animals. The bottom of the newt is lemon yellow in color with black dots.
Dusky Salamander
Desmognathus fuscus
It varies in shades of brown and gray, and the adults have a reddish brown stripe with a darker scalloped border down the back. The juveniles have eight pairs of dots that form a darker border. Their belly is mottled gray or brown. They are about five inches long and are likely to be found in damp areas such as streams or brooks and shelter during the day under rocks, leaves or logs.
Two-Lined Salamander
Eurycea cirrgera
The sides of the legs and under parts are orange and yellow. They also have a light band down their back with dark outlines. Small salamander; 4.0 inches long; varies in color.
Three-lined Salamander
Eurycea guttolineata
This species has a narrow, black, mid-dorsal line within a tan or yellow dorsal band. The upper sides are black, and the belly is mottled gray and dull yellow. The sides of tail have imperfect vertical black bars and narrow yellow inter spaces.  6" long.
Four-Toed Salamander
Hermidactylium scutatum
It may grow to be 4 inches long. It has a brown back with lightly spotted markings and a white belly with black markings. The rear feet have four toes. The animal lives in hardwood forests and hides under things. Eggs are deposited under moss.
Red-Backed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
The Redbacked Salamander occurs in a brownish form and a gray form. In the brownish form it has a red stripe down the back that may be bright red, deep red or nonexistent. It is not found on the gray form. Both forms have a round tail and a belly with black and white flecks.
White-Spotted Salamander
Plethodon cylindraceus
The White-Spotted Salamander is black and has small white or yellow spots. It is a medium salamander that can grow up to 6 inches long. Their bellies are dark and they have a light throat.
Mud Salamander
Pseudotriton montanus
The ground color above is dull, light to dark chocolate brown. The dorsal and lateral dark spots are usually distinct, sometimes obscure in old individuals, and when present extend well onto the lower sides. The belly has at least a few, often many, small, brown, widely separated dots.
Red Salamander
Pseudo triton rubber
The northern red salamander is either a bright coral red, in juveniles, or dark cloudy red adults. Northern red salamanders are stout bodied, have a short fleshy tail, and they have many black dots on their surface. They have 16 or 17 coastal grooves. They can attain lengths of six to eight inches. Northern red salamanders are found at night under logs, stones, moss, and under piles of damp leaves.